Thumbnail for Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 11/27/23

Hardwick Board Addresses Licensing, Property Sales, and Town Operations

Original title: Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 11/27/23

These meeting notes are AI-generated and unofficial. They are provided for convenience and are not official Town records or approved municipal minutes. Verify all details using the source video and official Town documents.

Meeting details

Date

November 28, 2023

Duration

1h 6m

Decisions

1 recorded

Action Items

10 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Board of Selectmen convened to address a range of municipal issues, including an appeal concerning the non-renewal of a used car sales license with allegations of deceptive practices, and the process for selling the Ruggles School property. The meeting also covered updates from the Capital Planning Committee, the status of various town projects and grants, and discussions regarding the upcoming Fire Chief replacement. Key decisions included taking the used car license matter under advisement, approving the purchase of a police cruiser contingent on fleet reduction, and moving forward with contacting realtors for the Ruggles School sale. The board also accepted a conservation restriction and approved several grant awards, concluding with a report on successful community events and administrative achievements.

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Discussion Highlights

Mr. St. Laurent presented an appeal concerning the non-renewal of a Class 2 Used Car Sales and Repair license for "Affordable Cars" at 2089 Greenwich Road, owned by Brian Gillespie, alleging deceptive practices and multiple revocations by the State of Massachusetts.
Mr. St. Laurent described Mr. Gillespie's business model as selling refurbished "junk cars" with limited use, utilizing "consignment sale" statements to avoid liability, and operating across three states to complicate customer recourse.
Mr. Gillespie refuted the allegations, stating previous complaints found no violations and that a license revocation in Ware was successfully challenged and reversed in court.
A board member noted that the special permit for the property allows only 10 cars in front of the building, but over 50 cars have been observed on the property at times.
The "notice of the special permit" and "notice of the decision" for the auto body repair shop were issued in 2002 but not recorded until March 2020 by Mr. Gillespie.
The Chairman expressed uncertainty on how to proceed with the used car license matter, which was perceived as a civil dispute between the tenant and owner.
The Capital Planning Committee reported on its Phase 1 program to gather capital needs from departments for the next 5-10 years, including a proposed $1.65 million fire truck.
The committee recommended compiling a comprehensive asset list for the town, noting the current lack of such a list and citing Schoolhouse 6 as an example of an uninsured town-owned property.
The board discussed the sale of the Ruggles School property, which was authorized by a 2013 Town Meeting vote, and considered options for the RFP process, including engaging a commercial real estate broker.
Concerns were raised about previous negative experiences with hiring for the Fire Chief position, and the board discussed potential succession for Deputy Chief Josh, acknowledging his willingness but also concerns about his experience and the role's increasing demands.
The process for filling a vacancy on the Page Memorial Library Trustees was discussed, including board appointment and placement on the next municipal election ballot.
A proposal for a conservation restriction on 8 acres of agricultural land on North Road was presented, to be donated to the East Quabbin Land Trust, with the restriction donated to the town.
Scott reported on a successful EPA and DEP tour of town facilities, an alarm system upgrade at Wheelwright, and an unresolved odor complaint at 23 High Road.
The Town Administrator reported on weekly USDA project updates, a public meeting for the Patrow Hollow Dam removal, approval of EV charging station and Green Community grants, the FY23 audit status, and the success of the Christmas on the Common event.
Ryan was recognized for becoming a certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk.

Transcript (10,983 words)

Lightly cleaned for readability. Each timestamp opens the video at that point.

00:00:12
Any uh visitors comments okay new business okay I'm here for some and you're on the agenda next okay uh Mr St laon
00:00:30
About affordable cars green Wich Road correct uh yes I'm here to make an appeal to the uh Board of Select and for a non-renewal of a Class 2 Used Car Sales and Repair license um for portable Cars located at
00:00:49
2089 green Wich Road uh it's owned and operated by Brian Gillespie uh Mr Gillespie has had his used car license in the state of Massachusetts revok twice uh so far starting in
00:01:08
Let's see sorry about that where in 2018 it was revoked and was also uh revoked in Leo in 2015 um he acquires these business license with a uh with a deception he
00:01:28
Doesn't apply for new business license after he's lost his first license um he comes in under the joint ownership of an existing business so there's no new application filed with the town and
00:01:48
He's able to gain access that way and not answer questions about losing his license in state and uh in any prior instances so he uses sub huge to gain access to a license he's been basically kicked out of
00:02:06
Hanan County and now he's operating in whis County his uh his scam that he uses is he sells uh junk cars uh basically fixes them up so they have another hundred
00:02:25
50 to 100 miles of use on them and then sells them to un ECT in customers with the statement on the U title of sale that it's a Consignment sale so that removes him many liabilities being a dealer from the

[00:00:12] any uh visitors [00:00:17] comments okay new [00:00:22] business okay I'm here for some and [00:00:26] you're on the agenda next okay uh Mr St [00:00:29] laon [00:00:30] uh about affordable cars green Wich Road [00:00:34] correct uh yes I'm here to make an [00:00:36] appeal to the uh Board of Select and uh [00:00:39] for a non-renewal of a Class 2 Used Car [00:00:43] Sales and Repair [00:00:45] license um for portable Cars located at [00:00:49] 2089 green Wich [00:00:51] Road uh it's owned and operated by Brian [00:00:56] Gillespie uh Mr Gillespie has had his [00:00:59] used car license in the state of [00:01:01] Massachusetts revok twice uh so far uh [00:01:06] starting in [00:01:08] uh let's [00:01:10] see sorry about that where in 2018 it [00:01:14] was revoked and was also uh revoked in [00:01:19] Leo in [00:01:21] 2015 um he acquires these business [00:01:24] license with a uh with a deception he [00:01:28] doesn't apply for new business license [00:01:32] after he's lost his first [00:01:34] license um he comes in under the [00:01:39] uh uh joint ownership of an existing [00:01:42] business so there's no new uh [00:01:44] application filed with the town and uh [00:01:48] he's able to gain access that way and [00:01:51] not answer questions about losing his [00:01:53] license in state and uh in any prior [00:01:57] instances so he uses sub huge to gain [00:02:01] access to a license he's been uh [00:02:04] basically kicked out of [00:02:06] uh Hanan County and now he's operating [00:02:10] in whis [00:02:13] County his uh his scam that he uses is [00:02:17] he sells uh junk cars uh basically fixes [00:02:21] them up so they have another hundred uh [00:02:25] 50 to 100 miles of use on them and then [00:02:28] sells them to un ECT in [00:02:31] customers with the statement on the U [00:02:35] title of sale that it's a Consignment [00:02:38] sale so that removes him many [00:02:41] liabilities being a dealer from the [00:02:44] transaction and um he's acquiring these [00:02:49] cars uh across three states uh Rhode [00:02:53] Island Connecticut [00:02:55] Massachusetts and he uh fails to do Jo [00:03:00] most business within wer County they'll [00:03:02] sell them out of the county so that it's [00:03:05] harder for these uh people to track [00:03:09] down how to get help and uh he's really [00:03:13] uh praying on really vulnerable people [00:03:15] who are spending all the money they own [00:03:17] for these vehicles and they're getting [00:03:20] stuck with them or being forced to take [00:03:22] them to court if they can most cases [00:03:25] they [00:03:26] can't what is your uh interest St sir I [00:03:31] acquired a property that had an open [00:03:33] lease with Mr gesp in [00:03:37] 2021 this business had been in operation [00:03:40] for a year prior to that uh with the [00:03:43] previous on Mr uh Edward uh bis who was [00:03:47] uh [00:03:48] deceased so we acquired the property [00:03:51] with an active lease and uh have since [00:03:54] learned uh the business practices of [00:03:57] MREs gesia basically [00:04:00] deplorable uh one other instance he has [00:04:03] he had a porta party contract with a [00:04:06] Parker Portables to uh rent and maintain [00:04:10] the quarter party and uh he failed to [00:04:14] pay the bills on that and uh they [00:04:16] repossess the quarter party and he has [00:04:19] an outstanding uh bill of uh I think [00:04:22] it's in the order of uh [00:04:25] $1,050 I have a letter from the owner of [00:04:28] barcus P stating the other core business [00:04:32] practices of Mr [00:04:34] GES um the uh hardwood Police [00:04:38] Department's also aware of his practices [00:04:40] there's they're called out there are [00:04:42] customer complaints when they handle [00:04:44] this but because he operates in a gray [00:04:47] area with that sold on consignment [00:04:50] stated in the bill of sale the police uh [00:04:53] hands a tith they they really can't do [00:04:56] anything so it's turned over to a court [00:04:58] system [00:05:00] uh the State Attorney General's office [00:05:03] has two current complaints since he's [00:05:05] acquired the license from hardw to [00:05:08] operate this business of customers who [00:05:10] have been cheated and um that's what we [00:05:13] have in this packet correct but that's [00:05:16] the report from the State Attorney [00:05:17] General's office the letter from uh I [00:05:21] believe it's uh Caden spker is also in [00:05:24] there regarding her outstanding uh that [00:05:27] was a little tough [00:05:31] uh yes I had a copy of a copy that's the [00:05:33] way I received it from the investigator [00:05:36] for the uh attorney general [00:05:40] office I know you came into the U [00:05:43] planning board about a year ago yes I [00:05:46] thought you folks issued the [00:05:48] license uh and that's where I would have [00:05:51] to go for this process and uh it's been [00:05:55] a long while since then getting back to [00:05:58] you folks but I I thought it imperative [00:06:00] before you renew this license for [00:06:05] 2024 okay we have that other complaints [00:06:08] on this property in it [00:06:11] past do you have any [00:06:16] questions all right and and one other [00:06:18] thing I'd like to point out uh if you uh [00:06:22] see it's not fit to uh revoke or uh not [00:06:26] approve the new license if you could uh [00:06:29] work with the uh Hardware Police [00:06:32] Department to uh keep a close watch on [00:06:35] Mr gaspie in the future there there are [00:06:38] some uh laws on the books for uh dealing [00:06:41] with used car sales um that give the [00:06:44] police uh some authorities that they may [00:06:47] not be aware of I stated the uh the [00:06:51] laws us link report yes give them the uh [00:06:55] the powers to go request his uh log [00:06:58] books and and see see uh each vehicle [00:07:01] that's uh bought and sold the [00:07:03] transaction of the uh title information [00:07:06] the previous owner and the new owner so [00:07:09] they can get to the bottom of this scam [00:07:11] and uh if you can't stop them from [00:07:13] operating hopefully he can at least stop [00:07:16] this uh this scam that he has [00:07:19] operating but that's my help okay thank [00:07:23] you thank you um anybody want to speak [00:07:27] on this I sir I'm the owner of [00:07:31] portable Mr Gass yes I [00:07:33] am um we go back about two years where [00:07:36] he called the Board of Health on me and [00:07:38] all these other departments that found [00:07:39] me in no violation of anything including [00:07:41] the registry motor vehicles theyve all [00:07:42] came out to my property they've [00:07:44] inspected everything he also brought up [00:07:46] we where tried to revoke my license I [00:07:48] took from the court they lost it was [00:07:49] reversed I can show you that if you like [00:07:51] my license was not revoked in the town [00:07:53] of where we transfered it from where to [00:07:56] the town of [00:07:57] Hardwick and he's been trying to get me [00:08:00] out of there his Boyer sent me certified [00:08:02] mail a year and a half ago right I mean [00:08:03] I can't be on the property he's called [00:08:05] numerous people trying to have the [00:08:06] business shut down they want to break [00:08:08] the 10-year lease that we have that's [00:08:10] what this boils down to how long is your [00:08:13] lease to run 10 years how long is it to [00:08:16] run yet [00:08:18] seven how many cars do you have on the [00:08:20] property approximately 24 right [00:08:25] now has the building inspector been to [00:08:27] speak with you yes he has and he gave me [00:08:30] a clean bill of [00:08:31] health so did the health department they [00:08:33] called me within 20 minutes open the [00:08:35] building I didn't hide anything said [00:08:36] meet me there right now they came up [00:08:38] there looked through everything took [00:08:39] pictures after text messages he said [00:08:41] continue business you're doing nothing [00:08:44] wrong [00:08:48] so [00:08:54] anybody is this a zoning board of [00:08:56] appeals kind of thing is a special [00:08:58] perment [00:09:00] it is a special permit it was initially [00:09:02] a special [00:09:03] permit a special permit too it states [00:09:06] that only 10 be parked in front of one [00:09:08] of the buildings and we've had over 50 [00:09:10] on the property at one point I can get [00:09:12] the decision if you want to read the [00:09:14] decision and see what's actually in [00:09:16] there thank [00:09:18] you um if I could make a bottle to Mr [00:09:22] the last piece as far as losing his [00:09:25] licenses I referenced two news articles [00:09:28] from the Springfield Republican that [00:09:30] state he's lost his license twice in in [00:09:35] uh hand and [00:09:38] to um so [00:09:41] uh well we're not you know we're not a [00:09:43] court we can't I track that down but if [00:09:47] I may you [00:09:48] chairman I just like to clear this up [00:09:50] because it's on public [00:09:52] record [00:09:56] what in what year was that Brian [00:10:04] okay but then you lost it the next year [00:10:06] no it was reversed I went the court all [00:10:08] right everything gets directed at the [00:10:10] chairman I'm sorry [00:10:17] sorry can I ask a question of course um [00:10:20] so you had a porta poot on site I had a [00:10:23] port that I rented then ended up buying [00:10:26] too that's why we stopped the contract [00:10:28] for so you have you have facilities on [00:10:31] site I have two of them now okay I had [00:10:33] one cuz the building doesn't have [00:10:34] anything in it correct the garage area [00:10:36] they promised to fix the water and heat [00:10:37] over two years ago and they never did [00:10:39] and so now there's two units there yes [00:10:41] okay CU aren't getting along do you want [00:10:44] them all or do you want me to read what [00:10:45] do you want me so notice of [00:10:48] decision certificate of no [00:10:51] appeal then there's the notice of the [00:10:53] special permit and the notice of the [00:10:55] decision so this was done in 2002 to and [00:10:59] Ed never recorded it I believe Mr [00:11:03] Gillespie recorded it in March of [00:11:05] 2020 um but the notice of the special [00:11:09] permit and the notice of the [00:11:25] decision planning board approves auto [00:11:27] body repair shop license must be [00:11:29] obtained from the board of Selectmen to [00:11:31] sell used cars to sell used [00:11:36] cars doesn't have a doesn't Li there's [00:11:39] nothing in there about [00:11:40] limits and the prits don't our prits [00:11:44] don't limit do the the original uh [00:11:48] special permit had drawings and uh [00:11:53] dra they call out the vehicle C right [00:11:55] but if it's not listed on the special [00:11:57] permit [00:11:59] there nothing else in there I don't [00:12:01] think the bylaw says [00:12:04] anything doesn't show I mean for number [00:12:07] of cars [00:12:09] right cuz I think this was one of this [00:12:12] is what one of the complaints was a year [00:12:14] or two ago about the number of cars I [00:12:17] can you chairman yes sir 15 of those [00:12:20] cars He inherited on those property so [00:12:22] 15 of those cars Ryan from the clerk's [00:12:24] office can vouch they came from the [00:12:26] other side of the property and now are [00:12:27] placed on my side and he refuses to get [00:12:29] the titles and stuff for him so 15 of [00:12:31] those cars belong to them we were never [00:12:33] told those cars was he owns all those [00:12:36] cars he was clarified by the town and [00:12:38] the police department those cars are his [00:12:39] and his attorney nobody nobody clarified [00:12:42] anything even the building inspector you [00:12:43] can ask him when he came out there all [00:12:45] right right he has to speak to the [00:12:47] chairman [00:12:48] sir I don't know where we're going to go [00:12:50] with [00:12:51] this [00:12:54] um I don't know what I want to do I just [00:12:57] want to make you aware of his business [00:12:58] business practices they deplorable I [00:13:01] understand if you choose to isue his [00:13:04] licensed that there's nothing nothing I [00:13:07] can do I I warned you this business [00:13:09] practices that's why I'm here when do we [00:13:12] uh issue [00:13:13] licenses next meeting [00:13:16] 11 I don't know if the number of cars is [00:13:18] on the actual license I don't believe [00:13:21] that never seen the number of cars and [00:13:24] any should be declared in the special uh [00:13:27] building permit which had three drawings [00:13:29] which called out 10 vehicle par no no [00:13:33] cars [00:13:35] yeah no vehicles no no number of [00:13:38] vehicles which should be on my last two [00:13:41] towns all the numbers of vehicles but in [00:13:43] they also had to do site plans and we [00:13:45] don't have any s plans [00:13:47] here something to think about but it's [00:13:49] nothing that we can [00:13:51] right it's not unless it's [00:13:55] somewhere I mean feel like we're in a [00:13:58] dispute between tenant and owners yeah [00:14:01] because it's civil matter exactly [00:14:03] right I'm sure it's really our [00:14:06] jurisdiction there has to be a [00:14:08] jurisdiction somewhere between car sales [00:14:12] and junkyard and it feels strong he's [00:14:16] cross the line [00:14:20] there [00:14:23] um motion to uh take it under [00:14:27] advisement think that motion to take it [00:14:29] under [00:14:31] advisement [00:14:33] um and maybe just try to really make [00:14:36] sure there's nothing we're missing the [00:14:38] only thing I can say it's a class two [00:14:39] license which means you cannot have junk [00:14:41] cars you can only have car use cars for [00:14:44] sale or that are being repaired that you [00:14:46] sell but there cannot be junk cars so if [00:14:48] there's a cars with like no engine in [00:14:50] them that's not allowed junk in the [00:14:52] class [00:14:53] too we should talk to the cops mhm so [00:14:56] before before our next meeting did you [00:14:59] make a motion I did I'll second your [00:15:01] motion to take [00:15:03] advisement okay more [00:15:07] discussion all in favor I [00:15:10] I thank you work on [00:15:13] it thanks for coming in Mr glasby you're [00:15:16] welcome thank [00:15:26] you Mr car at Capital planning committee [00:15:30] recommendation thank you sir thank you [00:15:33] Mr chairman U Capital planning [00:15:36] committee's been meeting since July um [00:15:39] on a regular basis once a month come in [00:15:42] our pH could you come up to the front so [00:15:45] that you can be on on [00:15:48] YouTube makes me a s do I get a [00:15:52] k okay uh so uh we started a phase one [00:15:57] program with asking all of the [00:15:59] departments in the community to give us [00:16:01] their Capital needs uh over the next 5 [00:16:04] to 10 years we were really BR about that [00:16:06] so we've got the nine departments that [00:16:09] have sent us a tremendous robust uh wish [00:16:12] list uh two other departments have not [00:16:15] yet but has expressed an interest to get [00:16:17] them to us uh we have a active review of [00:16:22] a fire truck proposed for the fire [00:16:24] department uh for December 18th that's [00:16:27] our next meetings so I just want you to [00:16:29] be aware of the fact that that's when we [00:16:31] will take that particular aspect up I [00:16:34] think you've already discussed it maybe [00:16:36] on your I don't know if your board has [00:16:38] it but it's a$ [00:16:40] 1.65 million truck that proposed by the [00:16:44] uh fire [00:16:46] chief [00:16:48] um we also took action on a police [00:16:51] cruiser it was a police cruiser I don't [00:16:53] know how much has that been told but the [00:16:56] capital committee said it was be fine [00:16:59] because it was we voted on it it was an [00:17:01] expense that that's mandated for our [00:17:03] input and then we also put the caveat [00:17:06] that uh that would mean the reduction of [00:17:08] two uh Vehicles out of the fleet of [00:17:11] seven that they have now so they have [00:17:13] seven now they're going to buy an eth [00:17:16] we've asked that they dispose of two [00:17:20] okay um that will leave six Cruisers uh [00:17:23] still on the asset list and that are [00:17:25] obviously [00:17:27] upera um we also just just as a side [00:17:30] note we received [00:17:32] u a request for an emergency repair from [00:17:36] an on on the town hall the town Old Town [00:17:41] Hall well Town town house and U while [00:17:44] it's not within our jurisdiction because [00:17:47] the expenditure has to be over 25,000 [00:17:50] for a vote uh we did get quite involved [00:17:53] in that had a lot of involvement and [00:17:54] looking at what they were what what they [00:17:56] needed to do and how important it is is [00:17:58] and I would just tell you that the board [00:18:00] supports whatever Ann's asking for if [00:18:03] you haven't seen that if it's not on the [00:18:05] agenda today you will be coming to you [00:18:07] very shortly uh but what I'm here to [00:18:10] make is two recommendations that the U [00:18:13] Capital planning committee uh voted on a [00:18:16] and the first one is on the Ruggles [00:18:18] School [00:18:19] building um the annual town meeting of [00:18:22] June 22nd 2013 voted the town voted to [00:18:26] put $4,000 for the purpose of preparing [00:18:30] that property for [00:18:32] sale in whole or in part uh the $4,000 [00:18:36] uh was for title search surveys uh [00:18:39] obtaining an accurate description and a [00:18:41] Title Five septic review and to decide [00:18:45] whether there and to put it into one or [00:18:47] two lots because on that same property [00:18:50] is the town of Hardwick's water [00:18:54] supply um when you uh when you look at [00:18:57] that there the two uh Parcels the ice [00:19:00] rink the old ice rink and the school [00:19:03] building is 2.63 Acres uh the Hardwick [00:19:07] well and emergency generation house [00:19:09] building lot is an additional 10,000 [00:19:13] square 10,320 square ft so there're in [00:19:16] the survey they split that property in [00:19:19] two so as we as I give you our [00:19:22] recommendations just understand that [00:19:24] there are two aspects of [00:19:27] that um um the a the annual town meeting [00:19:31] uh for June 22nd authorized the select [00:19:34] board to proceed with the sale of all or [00:19:36] part on terms and conditions that were [00:19:39] in the board's determination to be in [00:19:43] the best interest of the town so the [00:19:45] decision is totally yours what to do but [00:19:48] the town is asked is asked to sell it so [00:19:52] so there are some uh things that the [00:19:55] capital planning committee want to [00:19:57] recommend to you that's we're advisory [00:19:59] so what we say is of course only subject [00:20:03] to your your win uh we voted youly to [00:20:07] proceed as instructed by the town uh by [00:20:12] meeting uh by the town meeting by [00:20:15] issuance of an [00:20:16] RFP and there are four points that the [00:20:19] board must consider your board must [00:20:21] consider number one what might be in the [00:20:24] best interest of the town so for example [00:20:27] but it's not limited to I mean things [00:20:29] like putting it on tax roles versus put [00:20:31] giving it to a nonprofit just things [00:20:34] like that but and then the use obviously [00:20:37] uh would be determined by special permit [00:20:39] in many cases it was commercial uh maybe [00:20:42] if it's multiple uh multiple residential [00:20:45] units don't know but that's something [00:20:47] that you'd have to determine uh the the [00:20:50] use of an RFP and this is a question [00:20:53] that you need to struggle with should [00:20:55] the RFP be issued and manag by the town [00:20:59] or should the select board request rfps [00:21:02] from real estate brokers uh having one [00:21:06] realtor work on behalf of the board uh [00:21:08] in the best interest of the town is [00:21:10] still being protected by by your board [00:21:13] uh number [00:21:15] three since the Ruggles school is [00:21:17] providing Storage Rental [00:21:20] income uh to the town it would be [00:21:23] prudent to notify the uh rentor of the [00:21:26] pending cancellations of that rental [00:21:29] agreement and advise the renter of a [00:21:31] date to vacate the [00:21:33] premises and number [00:21:35] four um the board should decide whether [00:21:39] two Parcels will be sold or just [00:21:43] one um that's our first recommendation [00:21:46] obviously there's those four points I [00:21:48] think is something that you guys will [00:21:49] have to work on and decide do you [00:21:52] suggest that we sell the well well if [00:21:56] you sell the well you're actually [00:21:57] selling the Waterworks then I guess as [00:21:59] an entity as a business so I'm not sure [00:22:01] that I'm in the position or the board [00:22:03] was in the position to make a [00:22:05] recommendation either way so but you [00:22:07] have the option they the the uh well is [00:22:11] a separate separate surveyed item right [00:22:14] everything the title five is I [00:22:16] understand it no longer required because [00:22:18] you're now in the sewer district um the [00:22:22] title search was done and it's been and [00:22:24] the rank was included in the 2.63 acres [00:22:28] to go with the school so uh we chose [00:22:32] this as the first building to to um to [00:22:35] uh brass it within our community uh [00:22:38] because it'll be a good trial balloon on [00:22:41] how we should handle others that we'll [00:22:42] be bringing to you in the near future [00:22:44] and I feel like we had an RFP in this [00:22:48] building years ago years ago well 2013 [00:22:52] 10 years ago there um isn't there like [00:22:56] some thing in the deed if the town is [00:23:00] done with it it reverts back to the [00:23:01] mixture no no no this is the ruggle [00:23:04] school not the page building so the [00:23:06] ruggle school is on ruggle street and [00:23:09] that would be okay yeah that has nothing [00:23:11] to do with that and that was what the [00:23:13] title the title search clear title there [00:23:16] was a clear title on that already so we [00:23:18] we're ready we're just making that [00:23:21] recommendation that you want to take [00:23:22] action because uh because of feeling [00:23:25] like we're feeling right now chicken to [00:23:26] do anything about it a heartbeat but I [00:23:29] feel like we I feel like we put it out [00:23:32] there but maybe the way you put it out [00:23:35] the problem I mean if you gave it to a [00:23:36] real estate agent or look for rfps from [00:23:40] a real estate agent they might bring you [00:23:41] multiple offers that would be the [00:23:43] question yeah and I seem to remember at [00:23:47] the end before Nicole came um that they [00:23:52] had called the D in to decide where the [00:23:55] line should be to protect the water [00:23:59] um there um so I'm I'm not sure if the D [00:24:06] ever said [00:24:08] anything well the surveyor did delineate [00:24:11] very specific lines of 10,320 Ft of [00:24:15] which some is the frontage on yeah so so [00:24:18] I'm I'm assuming that there was some [00:24:21] ration and maybe that recollection on [00:24:23] your part might very well have been why [00:24:26] those lines were drawn but I think we [00:24:28] could go to the assessors and find out [00:24:30] if that if they know anything more yeah [00:24:32] and with if it's on sewer it's not going [00:24:34] to be a problem with putting in work so [00:24:37] there's multiple opportunities there's [00:24:39] multiple opportunities for that but I [00:24:41] think the key thing is the town said to [00:24:44] sell it the board has the best interest [00:24:48] to to uh for the community at heart so [00:24:52] what it's sold to do is totally up to [00:24:55] you guys but we would recommend it would [00:24:57] be a good thing to learn because as we [00:24:59] deal with other buildings that the town [00:25:02] hall has already voted to sell like the [00:25:06] Gilbert building down the road here and [00:25:08] the pagee building uh we might learn [00:25:10] something from this this seemed to have [00:25:12] the best the cleanest opportunity with [00:25:15] not much controversy on how we could [00:25:18] proceed to sell [00:25:21] it so what do you [00:25:24] think [00:25:26] fine I yeah I mean I'm pretty sure I [00:25:30] agreed to sell it once before so well i' [00:25:34] I'd recommend I'd seek a motion to hire [00:25:38] a a realtor get involved with some put [00:25:42] the put the request out to a realtor is [00:25:46] how you I get well I guess the thought [00:25:49] process I guess the last time you did [00:25:51] you created one in the town was to [00:25:53] receive proposals from interested [00:25:55] parties but didn't fly it didn't didn't [00:25:58] fly very well to the best of my [00:26:00] knowledge so maybe the best thing to do [00:26:02] is to get a realtor who will tell you [00:26:04] approximately what it might be worth uh [00:26:07] have some you know some connections with [00:26:10] potential purchasers that might be best [00:26:13] for the town and best for the [00:26:14] neighborhood and obviously accept what I [00:26:18] mean well yeah we might have to put an [00:26:20] rfbi to Realtors instead of can we just [00:26:23] auction it off with the rest of our [00:26:26] states like [00:26:28] or tax title the state stuff can we just [00:26:31] add it to the [00:26:32] auction do we have anything ready to do [00:26:35] that with properties to auction I don't [00:26:38] think so you're not going to get we [00:26:41] we're we just auction off the T the [00:26:43] leans we don't actually auction of the [00:26:46] properties um I think we should keep it [00:26:49] clean go do one thing at a time I don't [00:26:53] I don't see a bucket of gold here I [00:26:56] agree we need to get rid of it cuz [00:26:57] because I see it just being something [00:26:59] that's going to cost us money again if a [00:27:01] real estate agent can find you two [00:27:03] interested parties that's the size of [00:27:06] your bucket of gold right if he finds [00:27:07] five you never know you never know you [00:27:10] just don't know they have resources to [00:27:12] find people we don't right right not [00:27:16] everybody needs to wear Reven new so I'm [00:27:18] I'm going to guess that you're you're [00:27:20] you're in a very small Market when [00:27:22] you're doing it that [00:27:24] way I mean it's just it's good it's good [00:27:28] business to do [00:27:30] that well it's true that we found [00:27:33] several buildings in town that need new [00:27:36] rules so and this is one of them so the [00:27:39] the longer you go the prob so damage so [00:27:45] my question again is do we have to put a [00:27:46] request out for a [00:27:48] realtor before we you just call Realtors [00:27:52] and ask them to give you a market report [00:27:55] so that's that's what I'm asking like do [00:27:57] what's the can we do that with several [00:27:59] Realtors [00:28:03] mhm Mr [00:28:04] chairman yes sir um I would recommend a [00:28:08] commercial real estate broker okay and [00:28:11] there are several in the area that would [00:28:13] you may not be able to offer it as [00:28:15] commercial property because you would [00:28:17] need a special permit for the planning [00:28:19] board right so it commercial space or is [00:28:22] it it's not right [00:28:25] now it's in what dead zone area [00:28:28] it's either Village or [00:28:31] R40 yes either way it's pretty close [00:28:34] residential also commercial [00:28:37] proper I can call the most local and get [00:28:41] several [00:28:45] reports to move forward respond second [00:28:50] more [00:28:52] discussion uh all in favor hi hi hi all [00:28:57] right you can [00:28:59] um yeah make [00:29:01] contact all right second second [00:29:04] recommendation from the uh Capital [00:29:06] planning Capital Comm uh planning [00:29:08] committee recommends that a [00:29:10] comprehensive asset list be compiled by [00:29:13] the town this is to include all real [00:29:16] estate properties owned by the town [00:29:18] that's land buildings and bridges and [00:29:21] all capital Pro uh property Vehicles [00:29:24] registered in large Capital assets by [00:29:26] Department [00:29:28] uh that have a tangible value um [00:29:31] currently there is no asset list in [00:29:35] town um and I think we need one it's [00:29:38] just good governance and so the [00:29:40] committee recommends that we take this [00:29:41] kind of seriously and try to try to put [00:29:44] together you'll find you'll find this [00:29:46] properties we didn't know we had the [00:29:48] best example of that is that Schoolhouse [00:29:51] six on Route 32A across from [00:29:54] Stillman we own [00:29:56] that we don't Ure [00:29:58] it it's accessible to the [00:30:01] public so I didn't know we didn't own it [00:30:04] yeah so I mean how many other properties [00:30:06] do we have like that in town I don't [00:30:07] know uh but it would be it'd be worth [00:30:10] our while and bridges are a great [00:30:12] example I didn't realize the bridges in [00:30:14] town are assets of the town and are [00:30:17] required to be uh maintained by the town [00:30:20] there's a problem you can use chapter n [00:30:22] funds obviously but but sometimes a [00:30:25] bridge can go up for a long time could [00:30:27] be very [00:30:30] costly so it'd be good to do that I mean [00:30:32] we need to start looking at what we own [00:30:35] as a toone so we could have all the [00:30:38] Departments list their own assets and [00:30:41] then we could check it with reality see [00:30:44] how it is doesn't have to be on you well [00:30:48] we have again we do have an insurance [00:30:50] list of all of the assets and the [00:30:52] biggest uh departments you know with the [00:30:54] most Vehicles is police and Highway and [00:30:56] Lori every year looks at it to make sure [00:30:59] that they have those are the vehicles [00:31:01] that they have um but that but that's a [00:31:03] little separate from the fact that it's [00:31:05] tangible Assets in other words you if [00:31:08] you've got an insurance policy on a [00:31:10] vehicle that's registered that's one [00:31:11] thing but do you have something that [00:31:14] require that isn't insured that isn't um [00:31:18] registered and it does it have [00:31:21] value but I don't [00:31:23] know so I mean we can start with that [00:31:25] list but yes there are again I know we [00:31:28] we talked about bridges um you know the [00:31:31] $8,000 container that Christine bought [00:31:34] you know that's an asset that's [00:31:35] definitely worth something [00:31:38] um uh that we're planning to auction all [00:31:42] those things I have to go to Jen and get [00:31:44] a list of what Hardwick owns you know [00:31:46] the owner of Hardwick and make sure that [00:31:49] we have that on that list well are you [00:31:51] proposing to help build that list we be [00:31:54] more than happy to to help build that [00:31:56] list I mean that's the part is we don't [00:31:58] even know how many bridges are in town [00:31:59] covered by this we don't well I think [00:32:01] Marty does I mean you're right to get in [00:32:03] a central location is very yeah right [00:32:06] because if you're going to have an [00:32:07] auction and it's on your asset list [00:32:10] that's a good thing to know that's a [00:32:11] great way to manage your asset list but [00:32:13] if you don't have it on your asset list [00:32:15] and you put it at auction do you have to [00:32:17] put it at auction or can you just give [00:32:18] it away to somebody can you just sell it [00:32:21] on the side I mean that's [00:32:24] that's potentially what would happen if [00:32:26] you don't have asset [00:32:28] list cuz right now you don't know what [00:32:30] you don't have it's a good idea [00:32:34] yeah that's it that's [00:32:39] it you just let us know how we can help [00:32:42] you robt you want to cross-examine [00:32:47] them I did ask Marty to put no [00:32:49] trespassing signs on Schoolhouse 6 but I [00:32:52] think we should take that down to Sweet [00:32:55] I have not seen it I it's know it [00:32:58] existed at all really bad it's getting [00:32:59] for the ocean it's [00:33:02] bad thank you for the uh work you've uh [00:33:06] done there no problem we'll see you [00:33:08] we'll see you as soon as we get the rest [00:33:10] of the uh items locked off but if we can [00:33:13] help you in either way with the uh [00:33:15] transfer of that property or with the um [00:33:18] asset building the asset list list well [00:33:20] we'll keep you informed about the uh [00:33:22] realtor okay stuff good great yes H good [00:33:27] you check with the historical Commission [00:33:30] in case they want some posts or [00:33:32] something from in fact I've already been [00:33:35] yes they've already communicated with me [00:33:37] don't tear it down without a [00:33:39] representative of historical so okay [00:33:42] Absolut [00:33:44] sure somebody found some things in there [00:33:47] actually so yeah good there was a [00:33:49] question that was actually my second [00:33:51] question just making sure that the [00:33:53] Historical Society has expressed [00:33:55] interest in parts and pieces of that um [00:33:59] based on conversations with them they [00:34:01] don't go in the building as long as they [00:34:04] don't go into the building because no I [00:34:06] think it's danger I mean they talking [00:34:08] about the door or as it's being taken [00:34:12] down appreciate not I'm putting your [00:34:15] name down what that I'm putting your [00:34:17] name down fine I be wasn't happy [00:34:20] that I'll take the um I'll take the the [00:34:24] banner down that I put up 5 years ago [00:34:29] all right then [00:34:32] um okay thank you [00:34:37] okay do you to take committee report SC [00:34:41] and he had some comments in this report [00:34:45] RF do the RFP good Scott you want to do [00:34:49] a department [00:34:51] report anything else you have to say I [00:34:54] was on the side I just got it sure I I [00:34:57] read it super quick i s as you know but [00:35:00] now I can't find it I didn't PR myself [00:35:03] out one I could put it right here right [00:35:06] next oh here it is we did have a tour of [00:35:09] our facilities by the EPA and the d u [00:35:13] they wanted to see everything before the [00:35:14] upgrades are done um neither one of [00:35:17] these gentlemen had ever been to our [00:35:19] facility so they both checked it out um [00:35:23] and it went [00:35:25] good [00:35:29] we did have the alarm system at wheel [00:35:30] rate uh upgraded so that we have more [00:35:33] than a power outage alarm which we are [00:35:36] supposed to have um we put probably [00:35:40] 20,000 into that few years [00:35:43] ago to no avail it didn't didn't help [00:35:46] anything so I had a new company come in [00:35:48] actually the original company I wanted [00:35:50] to hire back then 3 or 4 years ago and [00:35:53] they were able to do it in a day and a [00:35:55] half um so we do have access to all [00:35:58] alarms [00:36:06] though and I I do want to reiterate my [00:36:09] opposition to the to the oversight [00:36:11] during the construction I know I've [00:36:13] talked to you about it Eric but I think [00:36:16] we have enough oversight on this uh [00:36:20] project we've already completed the [00:36:23] digging at the first leg of it and there [00:36:27] were no [00:36:27] issues and uh I just think it's money [00:36:31] that we don't need to spend on on [00:36:36] that we have USDA we have the Town [00:36:39] Administrator we have me we have EPA [00:36:44] D we're not going to make the same [00:36:46] mistakes that we made [00:36:49] [Applause] [00:36:50] before all [00:36:55] right [00:36:59] we did have an order complaint again at [00:37:01] at high road too [00:37:04] um I had the pling inspector what's that [00:37:07] High High Street High Road High Road 23 [00:37:10] High [00:37:12] Road good which is right at the end uh [00:37:15] near [00:37:16] 32A okay right got [00:37:20] it and it I mean he says there's odor [00:37:23] coming up through his drains which means [00:37:25] there's a problem with the traps in his [00:37:27] house and I did talk to plumbers and our [00:37:30] plumbing inspector about this uh he [00:37:32] verified that that's true the homeowner [00:37:35] is not happy with that [00:37:37] reply but there's a problem with his [00:37:40] plumbing and he needs to fix it because [00:37:41] it's not good to have sewer gases [00:37:43] getting into your house there was [00:37:45] something about how his stink pipe was [00:37:47] hot he said his stink pipe was hot too [00:37:50] on his roof [00:37:52] um I have a feeling maybe he's grabbing [00:37:55] the vent from his furnace cuz there's no [00:37:57] reason why the sewer vent pipe should be [00:38:00] even warm right um the sewer is about [00:38:03] 50° all year round it's right unless it [00:38:06] was on fire it wouldn't be creating [00:38:10] heat but I haven't I haven't gotten [00:38:13] another reply from [00:38:14] them after laying that out [00:38:21] so all right thank [00:38:25] you [00:38:29] um all right we have [00:38:34] a an award Justice assistance [00:38:39] award should I read this have to accept [00:38:42] it because anything $5,000 you guys have [00:38:44] to [00:38:46] accept this is a typical every year the [00:38:49] police apply for the Jag [00:38:52] award I'm me see how they got it so the [00:38:54] Hardwick police department has been [00:38:55] awarded $ [00:38:57] 35,1 [00:39:02] 12658 I would make a motion to accept [00:39:07] the Edward J B Memorial Justice [00:39:11] assistant grant for 35,1 [00:39:14] 12658 second that [00:39:18] discussion all in [00:39:20] favor all [00:39:25] right okay RFP peer [00:39:29] review um not to ignore what Scott was [00:39:34] just [00:39:35] saying uh should we um proceed since [00:39:38] we're ready with legal and all to put it [00:39:43] out there and see what we [00:39:55] get [00:39:56] you have a copy of [00:40:00] it looks like this it's like half a [00:40:12] page I would move [00:40:15] forward you would what I would move [00:40:19] forward think that's is that a motion um [00:40:22] I'll second that and I do hear you I I [00:40:25] do and I do feel for you and I [00:40:29] can respect what you're saying I just a [00:40:34] taxpayer I'm not saying yeah and and I [00:40:37] do and I just feel like because we've [00:40:39] been burnt before you know I think [00:40:42] that's that's still our stance is that [00:40:45] yeah I mean my reasoning is that we had [00:40:46] no over sight before well no we had an [00:40:50] operator that we hired and we had an [00:40:51] engineer that we [00:40:54] hired but that did more out so but other [00:40:59] than that we had [00:41:00] nobody we have a superintendent we have [00:41:03] the D we have the EPA we have the USDA [00:41:06] now that I mean to me that's a big [00:41:08] difference I I hate to [00:41:10] see money thrown at this I don't see [00:41:13] what they're really going to do for us [00:41:15] but well let's see what they say yeah [00:41:17] let's see let's see what they say and [00:41:19] see what we get back and then doesn't [00:41:22] mean we have to you know let's just at [00:41:25] least explore options right we're ready [00:41:27] to go it's vetted yeah you'll be in a in [00:41:31] the conversation if we move forward with [00:41:33] it so absolutely than all [00:41:38] right [00:41:40] so we vote on [00:41:43] that I think I seconded the motion yeah [00:41:45] okay all in favor yes all [00:41:49] right [00:41:52] uh uh discussion regarding fire chief [00:41:55] replac [00:41:57] due to retirement so I've been speaking [00:42:01] with Ray and Josh who's the deputy chief [00:42:05] uh about Ray's upcoming [00:42:08] retirement and uh Josh [00:42:11] is um willing and I think able to uh [00:42:16] step in I don't know how you guys feel [00:42:20] about it I don't know what I think at [00:42:23] this point we're going to have to [00:42:25] whatever we decide to do we'll have to [00:42:28] lean on Josh to as an inter yeah and I [00:42:32] was suggesting to him that we again I [00:42:36] haven't had this conversation with you [00:42:38] guys but um you know wait to see wait 6 [00:42:42] months see how it goes we have we have a [00:42:47] crew we have a fire department and they [00:42:51] seem to like him and I worry about [00:42:57] I personally would not want to bring [00:42:59] somebody in from out of town because [00:43:02] that can go crazy I just I have concerns [00:43:07] um I think he's young I'm not sure you [00:43:11] know his experience and I have concerns [00:43:15] with their [00:43:16] existing unability to work with the town [00:43:21] hall so I have concerns [00:43:24] there all right what what suggestions do [00:43:27] you have I I don't [00:43:30] know I just those are definitely my [00:43:33] concerns um I don't know if you [00:43:36] know if there's a a meeting to be had [00:43:40] and we all sit down and really make that [00:43:42] clear because you [00:43:44] know it's difficult at best for Nicole [00:43:47] to work with them as a department and I [00:43:50] can respect the fact that there's a [00:43:52] strong Chief and that's what we all [00:43:53] voted on and that's what it is be still [00:43:56] should be able to work Nicole could [00:43:58] probably help them a lot with grants and [00:44:00] everything else [00:44:02] and they're [00:44:04] just well in a strong Chief doesn't mean [00:44:06] that they are autonomous from the town [00:44:09] they still fall under the board of [00:44:10] Selectmen which is first every day under [00:44:12] me that I don't really get any [00:44:14] communication that's that's just been [00:44:17] the how it's [00:44:23] gone I would I have some reservations [00:44:27] I like Josh and he's a good guy [00:44:31] um I don't know if maybe we should have [00:44:34] a discussion with another town I I think [00:44:36] the the chief of police chief of fires [00:44:40] all these guys are [00:44:42] becoming they have to be more educated [00:44:45] they have to be more on their game and [00:44:46] do more [00:44:48] inspections do we is Josh going to have [00:44:51] time to do it CU currently he's [00:44:54] full-time believe so police officer over [00:44:58] the last few years we've been okay [00:45:00] getting away with Ray but we have that [00:45:03] whole inspection part of Ray's job [00:45:07] that's pretty important and that's [00:45:08] getting pretty technical pretty Li lot [00:45:11] of [00:45:13] liability [00:45:15] um I'm willing to give Josh some time in [00:45:18] the seat and see how he does but I'm not [00:45:22] sure we should put feelers out there to [00:45:25] see options [00:45:27] are if any of the Town wants to jump in [00:45:30] with us with the chief the shared and do [00:45:32] sh I know we talked about [00:45:34] that as well this you know year few [00:45:37] years back just as we were discussing [00:45:39] shared services but again this is [00:45:41] probably a conversation of joshu was in [00:45:43] the room we [00:45:44] could well that came up [00:45:48] and I think I just thought this isn't a [00:45:52] job interview he needed to decide for us [00:45:54] to have a convers [00:45:56] and then forward yeah [00:46:01] yeah so uh well I know to speak for him [00:46:05] he's taken the firefighter 1 and two and [00:46:08] he's been doing the deputy job for about [00:46:11] a [00:46:12] year um and young [00:46:15] as uh new brain tree was 19 years old [00:46:19] Dennis lender when they made him a chief [00:46:21] so it's happened no I know I just but [00:46:24] still I'm not argument just exper you [00:46:27] know it's I mean I just I look at Ray [00:46:29] and like you know Bobby Goodfield before [00:46:31] I mean they just there was years of [00:46:33] experience there you know that yeah you [00:46:35] know and so I just you know and again [00:46:38] the you know the whole the whole [00:46:40] technical side of it bring up a really [00:46:42] good point it's we're in a different [00:46:46] even when Ray on we're in a way [00:46:48] different world and Ray will admit to [00:46:49] that yeah yeah um I know I T A lot of [00:46:53] conversation with Bobby the last last St [00:46:56] he did and he was surprised how much [00:46:59] things had changed when he stepped in [00:47:02] for a while yep um so I yeah those guys [00:47:06] were [00:47:07] in their first computer Charlie L [00:47:09] brought their first computer into the [00:47:11] office it was like a big yuck you [00:47:15] know so I I'll be more than happy to [00:47:18] stop by and talk to him too I have a [00:47:20] one-on-one discussion with them and [00:47:22] follow up with what you have I just to [00:47:25] see what they thinking is and see what [00:47:28] you know be able to talk to them kind of [00:47:30] privately I like to do that just to see [00:47:34] what Ray's feelings are um it's all [00:47:38] going to be public at some point but I [00:47:40] don't know what options we have right [00:47:42] now because Ray has to be done in [00:47:45] December 25th 25th so yeah so we only [00:47:49] got a month well and at that point the [00:47:51] deputy steps up and is acting M and we [00:47:55] have Mutual Aid and uh and they do know [00:47:59] each [00:48:00] other I don't [00:48:01] know the guys on the crew anymore yeah [00:48:06] so maybe I'll look into that a little I [00:48:10] have it on good authority they're all [00:48:12] happy with Josh but let me uh yeah might [00:48:15] you know I mean is and and I'm not [00:48:17] trying to rock the boat but is there [00:48:19] anyone else that's interested in it and [00:48:21] again I don't know the crew either so I [00:48:23] have no idea what I'm saying you know as [00:48:25] far as people so I guess individually [00:48:29] let's look let's just make sure that [00:48:32] that's I mean I want to make sure he is [00:48:35] willing to commit to if if if that's the [00:48:39] way I got the sense that when he was [00:48:42] here last time I did get that sense 100% [00:48:44] a year ago I didn't get that sense so I [00:48:47] me he seemed dvent but but we you know [00:48:51] let's uh let's talk to the people we [00:48:52] know and get a feel [00:48:54] for [00:49:01] okay okay um up letter from town clerk [00:49:06] regarding vacancy for Page Memorial [00:49:08] Library [00:49:10] chuste so uh Ned Kelly has [00:49:13] resigned we accepted his resignation [00:49:16] last [00:49:18] time um [00:49:20] I intend to bring this up as chair of [00:49:23] the library trustees at our next meeting [00:49:26] which is a week from [00:49:28] Thursday [00:49:30] and do let [00:49:33] Ryan describe how we have to go our [00:49:37] options so any elected position um gets [00:49:41] filed with my office doesn't have to be [00:49:43] accepted by you guys just explaining the [00:49:45] rules so I notify you that there's a [00:49:48] vacancy and I notify the other elected [00:49:50] board that there's a vacancy your role [00:49:52] in this there's two parts to it the [00:49:54] first is the fact [00:49:56] whether or not you wish to have that [00:49:58] position put on the next uh Municipal [00:50:01] ballot that's entirely your call you can [00:50:04] say no and that term would normally be [00:50:07] up in [00:50:08] 2025 the second part of it is when I [00:50:10] notify the page trustees that there's a [00:50:13] vacancy their obligation is to then in [00:50:15] turn notify you folks within 30 days [00:50:19] that there's a vacancy and after a [00:50:21] week's notice both of your boards well [00:50:24] the truste in the select board can then [00:50:27] vote a [00:50:29] replacement okay so it's entirely up to [00:50:33] the trustees and and your board as to [00:50:35] whether or not you even wish to put [00:50:37] somebody on that board at that time it [00:50:38] can it can stay vacant if they don't [00:50:40] notify you within the 30 days then the [00:50:43] responsibility Falls solely to you and [00:50:46] you have the exclusive right to appoint [00:50:48] somebody so obviously we we've talked [00:50:51] and I had talked with an you know to [00:50:53] advise Jim regarding that so so what I'm [00:50:57] here for is to find out whether or not [00:50:59] you're going to want to have that [00:51:01] position on the ballot we've we've had [00:51:03] other vacancies in the past Board of [00:51:04] Health school committee you know where [00:51:07] there's unexpired terms um it is an [00:51:10] elected position so I I think that when [00:51:12] there is a vacancy that there should be [00:51:14] an election for the remainder of that [00:51:17] term and it it doesn't have to be a [00:51:19] special it can go for just on the next [00:51:22] on the next one but I if you so choose [00:51:25] to do that you would need to vote and [00:51:26] you would need to notify me in writing [00:51:28] and then at that time I would add it to [00:51:30] but we could still appoint someone till [00:51:33] then oh absolutely but then that would [00:51:35] be the end of their term that is correct [00:51:37] their appointment so hypothetically if [00:51:38] you decided to put it on the ballot for [00:51:40] 2024 you could appoint somebody in [00:51:43] conjunction with the Page Memorial [00:51:45] Library trustees if they notify you [00:51:46] within 30 days that person would serve [00:51:49] until 2024 till the and they could run [00:51:52] for [00:51:52] it they could run for it as well and it [00:51:55] would be it would be a oneye on expired [00:51:57] term is what it would [00:51:59] be and I'd suggest that I would make a [00:52:02] motion to put the vacancy on the next [00:52:05] municipal election [00:52:08] second [00:52:10] discussion all in favor I I thank you [00:52:14] very much thank you [00:52:18] sir conservation restriction on North [00:52:23] Road good evening [00:52:26] cynia Henshaw from the East cin man [00:52:28] trust um and we have been working with [00:52:30] chester baronsky who lives up on North [00:52:32] Road he acquired the piece of property [00:52:35] um almost 8 Acres adjacent to him it's [00:52:37] currently mostly a hay field um and he [00:52:41] would like to see it conserved um on [00:52:43] into the future So the plan is for uh [00:52:47] that he will be donating the property to [00:52:49] these club and land trust to continue to [00:52:51] be managed for as a Hayfield um and uh [00:52:54] put a conservation restriction on the [00:52:56] property which assures that it will [00:52:59] remain without house on into you know [00:53:01] forever as far as we can tell um so uh [00:53:04] the East corl trust board has accepted [00:53:06] the conservation restriction we've met [00:53:08] with the Conservation Commission they [00:53:10] have accepted um holding the [00:53:12] conservation restriction and so the [00:53:15] question before the select board this [00:53:16] evening the way it works in [00:53:18] Massachusetts is that each Community the [00:53:20] select board or the mayor H um sign off [00:53:23] and approve that there is public benefit [00:53:25] and public value that goes with the [00:53:26] conservation restriction and then it is [00:53:29] signed by the Secretary of Energy [00:53:31] environmental Affairs to again at her [00:53:34] level um from the state's level to say [00:53:37] that there's a public benefit in having [00:53:39] open space and conservation land so I'm [00:53:42] here this evening to ask for your [00:53:44] approval and signing off on the [00:53:46] conservation restriction it is mostly [00:53:49] Prime egg soils um which is a you know [00:53:53] great benefit the to have have high [00:53:55] quality agricultural soils it's adjacent [00:53:57] the back the West Ed Edge of it is also [00:54:00] adjacent to part of the Muddy Brook [00:54:02] Wildlife Management Area so where [00:54:04] exactly is the property North Road it's [00:54:07] North Road so it's past where thresher [00:54:09] crosses but before the berry line it's [00:54:12] on the um left hand side as you go up [00:54:16] the field the fields yeah it's part of [00:54:18] it's not that whole field but it's part [00:54:20] of that field yep goes around the corner [00:54:23] um chat moves at 17 anyone so it's the [00:54:26] field just south of his there's no [00:54:28] number that goes with [00:54:35] it is this to ask being donated to the [00:54:40] town or to the east Land Trust um the [00:54:43] land is being donated to the East and [00:54:45] land trust and the conservation [00:54:47] restriction is being donated to the town [00:54:48] so we're working in Partnership to make [00:54:50] this happen yeah no that's good I just [00:54:53] need to make sure that I know do [00:54:55] asset list [00:54:57] yeah right and yeah so uh now I've lost [00:55:03] track sorry is it in 61 now is it under [00:55:09] chapter I don't actually know I haven't [00:55:12] looked that into always a good answer [00:55:14] always a good y sorry I should have [00:55:16] looked that up but I didn't I don't know [00:55:19] sorry if they're hang it probably is [00:55:23] yeah I would expect I don't know it but [00:55:26] all right well anyway CH bronsky [00:55:31] yeah [00:55:33] well I'm a [00:55:36] fan course without saying [00:55:39] so you need [00:55:41] a motion to [00:55:44] accept I move to accept the conservation [00:55:50] restriction the address you had [00:55:52] on well the formal address is zero North [00:55:56] Main North Street yeah as presented as [00:56:00] presented this is the [00:56:04] um um oh you have oh did you change did [00:56:07] you change I change [00:56:09] anything sign you changed it and gave it [00:56:13] back to me I think or no you know what [00:56:16] you know what um I think you must have [00:56:17] changed it assistant Sandra changed she [00:56:20] has that software do we have to do it [00:56:23] again nope NOP no no that's good it's [00:56:25] just had the names accurate right cuz it [00:56:28] takes so long to get through the state [00:56:30] approval process probably had old you [00:56:32] know chairs and [00:56:36] yeah all right all in favor all right [00:56:40] all right it's done deal thank [00:56:42] you um so this is the original [00:56:45] signatures for the other pages are in [00:56:47] here you want you can just take it yeah [00:56:49] and then get Ryan to to notarize it oh [00:56:52] you're a notary and I or I can [00:56:55] you're just watching them do it I caniz [00:56:57] it yeah I'm watching [00:57:00] you or Ryan I doubt he's here I am too [00:57:03] but I mean as a Justice do you want [00:57:05] toize it for the town you want me toize [00:57:09] ite everything World great not thank you [00:57:14] all very much thank you thank [00:57:18] you other new [00:57:23] business meeting minutes [00:57:36] approval I read them I can't say [00:57:38] anything about [00:57:45] April I say anything about [00:57:48] November I was good with that let me [00:57:51] just let me just make [00:57:53] sure [00:58:20] um I would make a motion to approve the [00:58:22] meeting minutes from ail 3rd 2023 and [00:58:26] November 13th 2023 [00:58:28] [Music] [00:58:30] second I have to not vote on April oh [00:58:34] want me to separate them please I'll [00:58:35] make a motion to um approve the meeting [00:58:39] minutes from April 3rd [00:58:42] 2023 second all in favor I and now I [00:58:47] also make a motion to approve the [00:58:49] meeting minutes from November 13th 2023 [00:58:53] second all in favor [00:59:03] hi [00:59:05] fire yeah the fire he was late so you [00:59:08] guys usually will get them at the next [00:59:15] meeting [00:59:17] old other old [00:59:19] business committee [00:59:22] reports miscellaneous course [00:59:27] respondence El anything anything you [00:59:30] have to sign chapter 90 anything like [00:59:35] that no he signs the warrant alone so [00:59:40] not alone but I mean me in the account I [00:59:43] don't mean to trample the Town [00:59:44] Administrator report but before we lose [00:59:47] everybody I want to go to select and [00:59:50] round table and I have something to two [00:59:52] things to say uh um I want to thank l [00:59:57] Grant [00:59:58] electric um Carl l Grant gave us a lot [01:00:02] of help um it was uh before Co maybe two [01:00:07] or three years before Co I started [01:00:09] chasing a grant for a new generator at [01:00:11] the [01:00:12] firehouse and with Co and everything [01:00:16] else and FEMA would not [01:00:19] extend uh we lost that Grant and uh [01:00:23] Eagle Hill School donated a [01:00:25] generator and l Grant spent a lot of [01:00:29] time helping me with these specifics so [01:00:32] now we have a generator that works at [01:00:34] the firehouse it's one of the two [01:00:36] buildings in town that's independent if [01:00:38] the power goes out so I wanted to thank [01:00:41] Carl l [01:00:42] Grant um about that and then uh the uh [01:00:47] Point set it I was uh visiting with a [01:00:50] friend of mine today Charlie Zep and he [01:00:53] said somebody came up uh with a [01:00:55] poinsetta for him and he said what's [01:00:57] this and she said well it's because [01:01:00] you're you're old enough or you're old [01:01:03] when you reach a certain age I'm sure [01:01:05] Santa and that's right it was me that [01:01:10] delivered who was that and we decided it [01:01:12] was you Kelly and uh and I just want to [01:01:16] say that he loved it and we had a long [01:01:19] conversation about how we live in a [01:01:20] small town and this is what makes a [01:01:23] small town lovely so thanks for the [01:01:25] point that will segue into my gigantic [01:01:29] thank you for each and every person that [01:01:31] contributed to the point thats and the [01:01:34] deliveries um we raised a phenomenal [01:01:38] amount of money this year so we have [01:01:39] Surplus for next year again it's finally [01:01:42] it's finally running like this and it's [01:01:45] wonderful and so many um people [01:01:48] volunteered to deliver so many hands [01:01:51] make light deliveries which was great [01:01:54] and every person that does it [01:01:56] just really enjoys doing it never mind [01:01:59] the people that you know get them so and [01:02:02] I got a few thank yous through email I [01:02:04] saw website a couple more came through [01:02:08] nice yeah so okay well enough for this [01:02:11] low [01:02:14] tast an administrator report um so the [01:02:17] USDA update I apologize it said it's [01:02:19] attached and I did forget to attach the [01:02:22] pictures we went out and looked at it [01:02:25] too while they were putting it in it's [01:02:26] really deep and I ruined my shoes and [01:02:28] all that it's fine but but now we are [01:02:31] putting these weekly updates on the on [01:02:33] the uh Wastewater page so everybody can [01:02:36] see it weekly now that there's progress [01:02:38] weekly [01:02:40] um and so there's that with the USDA [01:02:45] that'll I'll continue to you know copy [01:02:47] and paste from Justin but it everything [01:02:50] will be up on the web on the uh [01:02:53] Wastewater web [01:02:54] page um Ty Bond will be hosting a public [01:02:57] informational meeting for division of [01:02:59] fish fisheries and wildlife on Wednesday [01:03:02] November 29th here at 6:30 regarding the [01:03:04] removal of the patol Hollow [01:03:07] Dam um so I with that I wasn't sure did [01:03:11] you want do you want to have that [01:03:12] televised or or not people can just come [01:03:16] because I could ask Rick to televise it [01:03:19] it's the only reason they're here is [01:03:21] because there was no space at the [01:03:22] townhouse so that isn't even allowed [01:03:24] even possible to record up there but I [01:03:27] don't know how I'm not sure like the [01:03:30] project or if it's that important for us [01:03:32] to have it up there it's it's whose [01:03:34] meeting is it D it's [01:03:39] um for the division of fishery [01:03:43] Wildlife well ask them oh okay let's ask [01:03:47] them if you will will you be here I have [01:03:50] to be here unless I think if [01:03:52] conservation's going to be here then I [01:03:53] don't have to be there but I was the one [01:03:55] that said you can use this room and I'll [01:03:57] facilitate you know I'll be here but if [01:04:00] I think Bill Z is going to be here and [01:04:02] then he could be here for the building [01:04:04] all but if he's not I'll be to them [01:04:06] then um so the electric vehicle um [01:04:10] charging station Grant was approved um [01:04:13] they're out for to order right now so [01:04:16] they should be being installed soon none [01:04:19] none of ours work none of the four that [01:04:21] we have work um I Green community Grant [01:04:25] was [01:04:26] approved [01:04:28] um I'm going to need that sign and I [01:04:30] don't have that with me right now it [01:04:32] wasn't sent to me so I'll just have to [01:04:34] have you guys sign when you get it just [01:04:36] let us know yeah okay calm down um we're [01:04:39] working on the FY 23 audit to be done by [01:04:41] December 31st as required Christmas on [01:04:44] the common was yesterday it was really [01:04:46] neat really [01:04:47] fun um bigger this year right was fun [01:04:52] yeah it was great we got seven [01:04:56] $770 for the cookies and gave it to the [01:04:58] police for the T D amazing they had a [01:05:01] great turnout yeah they put a lot of [01:05:03] work into that they worked hard yeah [01:05:05] they did good and they did a good [01:05:07] cleanup job yeah good and Marty was [01:05:09] wonderful putting up the lights on a [01:05:13] Saturday [01:05:15] co uh the first plow with snow occurred [01:05:17] on Wednesday November 22nd so here we [01:05:19] are right into that snow and ice um and [01:05:23] then and so then there's ongoing [01:05:26] news it's just still [01:05:30] there perfect any other um select oh I'm [01:05:34] sorry could I say one more thing we got [01:05:36] a letter today Ryan is now a certified [01:05:39] massachusett municipal clerk and out of [01:05:42] 351 towns only 113 have certified clerk [01:05:48] so it's a big deal and it's it's good [01:05:50] for him and uh really good for us too to [01:05:52] have a certified Clerk so [01:05:54] congratulations to Ryan oh [01:05:57] great sorry that's off that's [01:06:01] so anything [01:06:07] else second fav [01:06:11] 745 thank [01:06:13] you know